Q: Can I start my apprenticeship while still in high school?A: YES. OYAP gives students who are at least 16 years old and who have completed 16 credits the opportunity to earn a high school diploma (OSSD) while working toward your apprenticeship.

Q: Can a Grade 12 student still take OYAP?A:OYAP is designed to accommodate a wide range of Grade 12 students. If a student has the required technical skills and for whatever reason did not opt for OYAP when he/she was in Grade 11, he/she may still apply for OYAP.

Q: How long is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program? A: Students may start OYAP in Grade 11 or in Grade 12
Students must make a two-year commitment to the program.
Many students might like to take all of their compulsory courses in their Grade 11 year and then begin OYAP in Grade 12

Q: How can I prepare for OYAP?A: Speak to your Guidance Counsellor or Cooperative Education teacher at your school who will help you choose the appropriate academic and technical courses.
You should schedule in your Annual Education Plan the academic courses required to enter OYAP in Grade 11 or 12.

Q: May I still play sports while in OYAP?A: Some of our 'Accelerated' OYAP programs require that you switch schools for program reasons and although you are still be eligible to play sports, your schedule could make it difficult for you to participate. The OYAP Project Leader will provide more information to support your plans for playing sports.

Q: Am I responsible for my own transportation to the workplace? A: YES. You are responsible. But, you will not be denied access to the OYAP program or any other Co-operative Education course because you cannot afford the additional costs. Please see your Guidance Counsellor orCo-op teacher for assistance.

Q: How will I know if I will like OYAP? A: Although quite similar, all OYAP programs are unique unto themselves. Your aptitude for a specific skilled profession, academic background, environment, and previous experiencewill all help determine whether or not you will like OYAP. Your Co-operative Education teacher will also provide an idea of the type of Co-operative Education Placement to expect for OYAP. This will help you make your decision.

Q: Why are 'Accelerated' OYAP programs not offered in all schools? A: No need to duplicate expensive machinery and equipment.
'Accelerated' Programs allow specific timetabling and staffing which provides students with the advantage of specialized technical courses to support apprenticeship training at officially recognized Training Delivery Agents.
Local employers determine the employment needs for skilled tradespeople and 'Accelerated' Programs allow School Board to meet those needs and not have too many students seeking certain apprenticeships with no hope of jobs.

Q: What happens if I decide to leave the apprenticeship program or am asked to leave the program? A: You may find out that you are not suited to an apprenticeship or you also might be in a situation where your attendance, work ethic, attitude etc., might be considered unsatisfactory by your teacher(s) or the employer. Depending on the timing within the school year, you may normally return to a regular program. If this cannot be accommodated, then you will have to pursue alternative ways of earning credits.

Q: Am I protected with Workers Safety Insurance coverage?A: YES. You are covered under WSIB by the Ministry of Education during the co-operative education placement. This coverage is documented in the form of a Work Education Agreement (WEA) which is signed by employer, student, parent and teacher prior to starting at your placement. If and when an OYAP student is registered as an apprentice and PAID, the employer is responsible to provide the WSIB protection.

Q: Will I be eligible for any exemption from "Basic Level In-School" training connected with my apprenticeship?A: In-school training is usually delivered through a Community College, e.g., Humber College. The secondary school curriculum in some OYAP programs is specifically designed to meet the in-school training requirements of the community college. The following OYAP programs allow students who complete their OYAP program to be exempt from the Basic Level as long as they achieve 70% on the MTCU exemption test which they will take at the end of the OYAP program.

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Q: Who do I contact at my school regarding OYAP?A: Your Guidance Counselor or Co-operative Education teacher.

Q: Why are only certain skilled trades offered in the 'Accelerated' portion of the OYAP program?A: Trades that are targeted in the 'Accelerated' portion of the OYAP program reflect local labour market demand. In other words, these occupations are high in demand in the GTA in which employers are seeking young people to fill their work force needs. However, a student can apply for a 'Non-Accelerated' OYAP program in any trade through their school's co-op department.

Q: If I participate in OYAP, will I be still be able to complete my OSSD?A: OYAP allows you the opportunity to participate in an apprenticeship skilled profession while enrolled in a secondary program leading to your OSSD. These credits come in the form of co-operative education credits.

Q: What is the definition of an OYAP student?A: An OYAP student is one who receives co-operative education credits for work experience in an apprenticeship occupation. The student may or may not be formally registered as an apprentice. The student's co-operative education learning plan must be based on the on-the-job training requirements outlined in the approved training standards for the trade.

Q: Do I have to be a full-time student to be enrolled in the OYAP program?A: YES! The Ministry of Education stipulates that in order to be participating in the OYAP program, you must be enrolled as a full-time student.

Q: When will I do the theory portion of apprenticeship training?A: Your related technology courses will complement your on-the-job training while participating in OYAP. However, upon graduation and once registered as an apprentice, you will be notified by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (Apprenticeship branch) when to participate in the in-school portion of the apprenticeship training. This will likely occur at the local or nearest college. Your employer will provide release time for you to complete the required in-school curriculum.

Q: Why is the OYAP program often called the "Earn While You Learn" program?A: Apprentices can indeed earn pay while they are on the job learning. Further to that, apprentices only pay 20% of the total class tuition fee and if they are attending school on a full time basis may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Q: Are your co-op placement hours accredited towards your apprenticeship agreement when you get registered?A: The employer, or apprenticeship sponsor, in consultation with a training consultant from the Apprenticeship office decides how many hours can be accredited towards the apprenticeship agreement. In most cases, all placement hours as well as any summer job hours are accredited during the registration process.

Q: What if my high school does not offer the technology program related to the trade I am interested in pursuing (e.g., automotive or construction technology)?A: You have the option of applying to the nearest high school that offers it. Consult your guidance counsellor to investigate this. Please note that it is not necessary to take the related Technology course if it does not exist at your school. You can still be accepted into Co-op in a trade placement with an OYAP option - consult your guidance counselor.

Q: What if after participating in OYAP I find out it's not for me? A: The OYAP program is flexible enough to allow students to leave OYAP without consequences if they are unsuited to the apprenticeship program. If at the end of a semester you feel that the OYAP program or skilled professions are just not for you, you can simply walk away.